Arrests by the Hundreds5/3/2012 11:58:30 AMThe U.S. government is making a dent in the fight against Medicare fraud. Meanwhile, plenty of individuals are causing enough harm in other fraud escapades and garnering long prison sentences for their efforts. And one infamous fraudster who’s served his time is returning home to a cool reception.

I’ve written before about the huge amount of fraud happening with Medicare, and the U.S. government’s determination to recoup millions of dollars from criminals. The government is keeping its word, as 107 doctors, nurses, and social workers across the U.S. were recently arrested for defrauding the government of a total of $452 million! It is believed to be the largest fraud roundup yet. Two of the defendants also owned mental health care centers in Baton Rouge, where they allegedly recruited vulnerable patients, including the elderly, drug addicts, and the mentally ill. The defendants billed Medicare for services never given to these people. If the federal government can reclaim a substantial part of the $60 to $90 billion lost due to fraud, it will go a long way in lowering healthcare debt. To read the CBS News article, go to http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57426934/107-charged-in-medicare-fraud-busts-in-7-cities/

Canadians may or may not be insulted by the return of one of its most infamous convicted fraudsters, disgraced media baron, Conrad Black. Black has completed a 42-month prison sentence in the U.S. for fraud and has been granted permission to return to Canada, on a one-year, temporary-resident permit. The reason this bothers Canadians is that in 2001, Black renounced his Canadian citizenship to obtain British peerage. Yes, folks, technically, our illustrious criminal is actually Lord Black, which has a rather ominous tone when you think about it. Furthermore, some believe that Black’s been given special treatment by being allowed to return to Canada while other worthy applicants have been turned down, according to an article in the Globe and Mail. You can read more of the story at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/cool-welcome-awaits-lord-black-in-canada/article2419835/

It’s long been argued that white-collar criminals should receive harsher penalties for their crimes. Those in a position to do just that are listening. A man described as having near sociopathic tendencies, was sentenced to 22 years in prison for defrauding investors out of $30 million. Apparently, the defendant showed no remorse toward his emotional victims in the courtroom. As is usually the case, the man used other peoples’ money to buy jets, jewelry, and other goodies necessary to an extravagant lifestyle. Prosecutors actually wanted a 30-year sentence for the 53-year old defendant and are seeking restitution of $29.7 million, forfeiture of $31.4 million, and a $250,000 fine. It would be interesting to know how much they’ll actually recoup. To read more, go to http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/01/samuel-mouli-cohen-sentence-prison_n_1467105.html